Liquid distribution system



4, 1965 c. E. DE YOUNG ET AL 3,202,167

LIQUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 3 Sheets-$heet 1 Original Filed May 2, 1960 IN VEN TOR. C HA RLES EDWARD 0e YOU/V6 BY AQV/NE E. GANDEE flan ATTORNEY 1965 c. E. DE YOUNG ET AL LIQUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Original Filed May 2 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6A5 OUTLET i if LL] J3 INVENTOR.

CHAQLES EDWARD De YOU/V6 lEV/NE E. GANDEE @224 Z/M ATTORNEY 1965 c. 5, DE YOUNG ET AL 3,202,167

LIQUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed May 2, 1960 s aw IN VEN TOR. CHARLES EDWARD De YOU/V6 BY l2 V/NE E. GANDEE Qfl fA/ .ATTQRNEY United States Patent O 3,2@2,167 LIQUID DHSTRIBUTEON SYSTEM Charles Edward De Young, Houston, Ten, and Irvine E.

Gandee, Tulsa, Okla, assignors to Nationai Tank Company, Tulsa,kla., a corporation of Nevada Continuation of application Ser. No. 26,140, May 2, 1960.

This application Sept. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 226,483 Claims. (Cl. 137-473) This application is a continuation of our pending application S.N. 26,140, filed May 2, 1960, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to collecting, and redistributing, liquid. More specifically, the invention relates to collecting oil Well production from a plurality of l0cations anddividing its processing among a series of treaters.

One of the most critical problems today, of gathering systems in the oil fields, is that of distributing the liquids gathered to a plurality of processing units, any one of which does not have sufficient capacity to handle the total amount of liquids to be processed. When conservation regulations of an oil producing locality limit theperformance of individual wells, it is economically desirable to centralize the production of a number of these wells for processing their liquids. A number of treaters may be required to handle this collection. On the other hand, when production from a well of high capacity is not limited by local regulations on production, the quantity of production gathered for processing may exceed the capacity of individual treaters available. In either situation, there exists the problem of distributing the total liquids, as

predetermined proportionate shares, to a number of treaters. In general, the control of this quantity of production to each treater must be maintained over a range of variation in such a way as to avoid overloading one or more treaters while underloading the remaining treaters.

A principal object of the invention is to maintain division of a total quantity of liquids by the use of weirs uniformly related to the supply of the liquids.

Another object is to maintain division of each of the upper strata of the phases of a total quantity of liquids by the use of weirs uniformly related to the strata.

Another object isto maintain a homogeneous mixture of a plurality of liquids and equally relate weirs to the total quantity of liquids in dividing the total into predetermined proportionate shares.

Another object is to controlthe discharge of liquid which has been divided from the total collection by each weir to maintain a minimum collection of the divided liquid as a seal against gas flow from above the liquid to the withdrawal point of the collection.

Another object is to control the total amount of liquid brought to the collecting body of such liquid, to be metered, in accordance with the quantity of liquid in the collection which has been metered over each Weir.

Another object is to apply a common gas pressure to the surface of all collections of liquids to be metered and which have been metered by the several weirs.

The present invention contemplates a single vessel into which liquids from oil wells are collected for distribution to a number of processing units. The level of liquids of the common collection is raised uniformly to a plurality of weirs having predetermined heights. The liquids are metered by passing over these weirs and forming separate collections within individual compartments within the vessel. The metered liquids are then withdrawn from the various compartments of the vessel to processing units,

such as treaters.

The invention further contemplates the liquid phases brought into the vessel being allowed to form strata and the upper strata raised uniformly to the plurality of weirs.

3,202,lii7

level of the liquids and initiating action to limit the total input of liquids to the vessel.

Finally, the invention contemplates an internal arrangement of the vessel in which the liquids metered into each weir compartment, and the common collection to be distributed, are exposed to a common, controlled, gas pressure within the vessel.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the written specification, appended claims,

and attached drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of several sources of oil well production, the total production being distributed to a number of treaters by apparatus in which i the present invention is embodied;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned elevation of a unitary vessel which controls the distribution of liquids in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a section along lines 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall environment of the-present invention. The wellheads of several oil wells 1 are indicated, producing liquids and gas which require field processing prior to their delivery to pipelines of purchasers. These Wells simply represent one type of source for liquids to be divided. The various wells 1 are connected to a manifold conduit 2 in order that the combined, total, production may be transported to a unitary vessel 3 for distribution to field processing equipment.

The total production is illustrated as divided for distribution among a plurality of treaters 4, as representative of field processing equipment for divided liquid portions. The treaters 4 process this particular liquid collection by breaking the emulsion and separating the production into water and merchantable oil.

It is not practical to use a single treater to handle the dened while the remainder of the units are underburdened.

Splitter vessel 3 FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the internal structure of vessel 3 into which the total production is brought. Within this unitary vessel, the liquid production of manifold conduit 2 is divided, or split, and distributed to treaters 4.

The specific formgiven vessel 3 is that of acylindrical shell, its longitudinal axis vertically extended. The upper portion of this shell has a first compartment anranged to function as a gas-liquid separator. From this separation,

the liquids are conducted to a point of release near the bottom of the lower portion of the shell. The liquids may be maintained in a homogeneous mixture which then rises to a series of weirs over whichth e mixture is metered Each 001- lectlon of a homogeneous mixture of metered liquids is,

into separate compartments within the Vessel.

then drawn from the separate compartments to treaters 4.

The liquids conducted to the point of release near the bottom of the lower portion of the shell may also have sutficient residence time to form strata of its phases. Oil

may form an upper stratum. Emulsion may form a stra- Patented Aug. 24, 1965 chamber.

a, 9 tum below the oil. Water may form on the bottom. It is desirable that both the water as well as the oil and emulsion be divided among the treaters to properly load this processing equipment. Therefore, each stratum, in turn, rises to the series of weirs and is divided by flowing over the weirs; a plurality of the upper strata of the liquids are thereby simultaneously divided into the separate compartments.

Separator section 6 Transverse baflle divides the vessel 3 into upper separator section, or first compartment 6, and lower distribution section 7. The manifold conduit 2 brings the total production stream into first compartment 6 and against diverter plate 8. Diverter plate 8 functions to spread the liquids on the walls of vessel 3, in first compartment 6, to reduce the break-out travel of gas from these liquids in which it is entrained.

The gas, broken from the production liquids travels a path into mist extractor 9 and out conduit 1%. Any entrained liquids carried into the extractor 9 are drained below bafile 5 by means of conduit 11.

Various safety devices may be usedto guard against the gas pressure increasing beyond a predetermined limit in vessel 3. Relief valve 12 and a three-way plug valve 13, with safety heads between its flanges, represent some of the safety devices that may be employed for this purpose.

The liquids collecting above transverse baffle 5 are to be divided, or split, into as many portions as there are treaters provided .to process the liquids. The liquids are collected in downcomer conduit 14- and conducted below bafile 5. This conduit 14 extends downwardly, coextensive with the axis of vessel 3, to a release point near the bottom of the divider, or splitter, section 7 beneath battle 5.

Splitter, or divider, section 7 Section 7 may receive the liquids of downcomer 14 as a swirled, thoroughly mixed, collection of the total liquids to be divided into portions, over a wide variation of flow rate down conduit 14. The liquids may also have suflicient residence time to form strata of its oil, emulsion and water phases. In either event, division is accomplished by metering the total liquids into portions over a series of weirs.

FIG. 2 should be considered with FIG. 1 to understand the weir placement within section 7 which carries out their function of the invention. A weir cylinder 15 is extended up from the bottom of the section 7 to form a collecting This weir cylinder 15 is larger than downcomer 14 depending into it. Weir notches 16 are spaced evenly about the upper lip of cylinder 15.

Bafiles 17 are then extended radially from weir cylinder 15 to the internal wall of the vessel 3. These baflles 17 extend above the lip of cylinder 15 a finite distance above each weir formed by the internal edges of bafiles 17 and having the notches 16 as its bottom. The portion of the liquids of conduit 14 metered over this weir is discharged into the compartment the bafiles 17 form with a portion of the wall of cylinder 15 and the internal wall of vessel 3.

A quieting bafile cylinder 18 is extended down into the compartments, well below the level of the liquids discharged into the compartments. Baflle cylinder 18 is sized larger than weir cylinder 15, to form a vertical passage for the liquids metered over each weir 16 and falling into its compartment, well below the surface of the metered liquids collecting in the compartment.

Cylinders 15 and 18 are open at their upper ends, within section 7. 'Therefore, all liquid collections in the bottom of section 7 are exposed to a common gas pressure in the upper portion of section 7. Further, equalizer pipe 19 extends through bafile 5 to connect the gas spaces of sections 6 and 7.

A level control in the form of a float 20, and connecting linkage, is indicated in each vessel compartment beneath each weir 16. Each float 20 controls a valve 21 in discharge conduit 22. Each compartment has its collected q, liquids drawn off through its conduit 22. Each conduit 22 draws oft" its compartment liquid to a treater 4, representing a processing unit.

Each of fioats 20 control their compartment liquid discharge to a predetermined minimum level within their compartments. Upper level floats 23 are also provided in each compartment. These floats are indicated as connected so as to control the input of total liquids to section 6 through manifold conduit 2 and/ or gas discharge from conduit 10. Specifically, valve 24 in conduit 2 may be placed under the control of one or more floats 23 to limit the input to vessel 3 and prevent the level of the weir compartments from rising above the upper edges of baifles 17. It may prove practical to have this upper level limit control from only one compartment if the weirs meter equal amounts of liquid into the compartments and the treaters 4 receive equal quantities of the liquids from the compartments.

If an unbalance of withdrawal should develop from the compartments, it might be desired to have a high level monitor in each compartment. This would insure the level of no compartment would exceed the height of its weir and unbalance the equal metering into the compartments by the weirs.

Still, it might be desired to operate vessel 3 so that rising levels in one or more compartments would cause gas discharge valve 25 to start closing. The back pressure in vessel 3 would start increasing and raise this force on the surfaces of the liquid collections. So energized, the liquids would increase in their rate of discharge and lower the level of the liquids.

Operation The function of separator section 6 has been outlined supra. The total production of manifold conduit 2 is diverted upon the walls of this first compartment 6. Gas broken from the production is taken out conduit 19, through mist extractor 9. Any gases subsequently released from liquids Within splitter section 7 are also drawn off through conduit 10 as they come into section 6 through equalizer conduit 19. Any liquids removed from the gas going through extractor 9 are dropped into section 7 by means of conduit 11. The well liquids collected in the bottom of section 6 then flow down conduit 14 for release near the bottom of weir cylinder 15 as a collecting chamber. Well fluids traveling down conduit 14 then rise up the annulus formed between conduit 14 and cylinder 15. The level of collected liquids in this annulus raises uniformly from conduit 14 to the weirs above notches 16 between the edges of radial baflles 17.

By spacing the weirs equidistant from the discharge from conduit 14, there is no level gradient diiferential from the point of release to each weir. As long as vessel 3 is level, the weirs are supplied uniformly and the liquids are divided over the weirs and into the vessel compartments.

Weir notches 16 are given their specific V-shape to.

reduce the metering error at low flows due to vessel 3 being off-vertical. Vessels 3 are generally in large, cumbersome, sizes. Leveling the weirs within the vessel, as the vessel is set, is subject to error. At low flow rates of liquid divided, the V-shape of Weir lip will tend to minimize the effect of slight vertical height differences between weirs on their dividing, or splitting, function.

The liquids metered over the weirs are conducted into their various vessel compartments by quieting bafile cylinder 18. The liquids from the weir notches are released below the surface of the collection in their compartments, preventing turbulence which would make the response of float 20 to the compartment liquid level erratic.

Each discharge conduit 22 draws liquids from a point well below the surface of the liquids. With a minimum level held by float 259, the collection of liquids in each compartment becomes an effective seal to prevent gas compartments is arelati'vely simple matter.

i being forced out of the vessel 3 through one ormore of the discharge conduits 22.

Control of the several liquid collections from their Floats control valve 21 readily for, this purpose. When one or more conduits 22 plug, or a valve in them is closed,

, the normal function of the vessel 3 is threatened.

the capacity of the valves 21 and conduits 22 The levels of all compartments begin to rise. There are generally two corrective actions that may be taken. The gas pressure within vessel 3 maybe generally increased or the liquids received into vessel 3 may be cut back. Subjective considerations of each field installation establish what is the desirable mode of operation.

Both approaches to control have been indicated. A float 23 is shown connected to valve 24. A float 23 is shown connected to valve 25. The invention contemplates modulating valve 24 and/or valve 25 from level in section 7 to maintain the weirs functioning to divide what liquids are uniformly related to them.

It is fully appreciated that it may be very undesirable to cut down on the total liquid take by vessel 3. The sources from which the total liquid is made up may be very sensitive to back pressure caused by a general reduction of output with a closure of valve 24. It may.

be desirable to shut down the wells in some sequence which ,cause the least upset in. the system. i

. On the other end of the system, malfunction of an individual processing unit may set off corrective action by by float 23 may be used to simply communicate or take corrective action automatically... The corrective action could be as simple as closing valve 25: to increase the pressure in vessel 3 to boost the liquids from all compartments with greater force.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

its vessel 3 compartment float 23. r The signal generated a mixture of liquids and gas into a first compartment within the vessel, l a gas outlet conduit connected to the vessel with which to discharge gas of the mixture from the vessel, l a collecting chamber connected to the first compartment to receive liquids from the first compartment, a plurality of liquid outlets from the collecting chamber providing a weir in each outlet to flow a portion of the liquids. over each weir and out of the collecting chamber,

a separate compartment connected to each liquid outlet, i a passage communicating each separate compartment to the first compartment in which the mixture of liquids and gas is introduced for applying the pressure of the gas to the surface of each portionof the liquids, r i

an outlet conduit connected to each separate COIHPQTt-r ment and a one of the number of liquid processing units for supplying liquids of the portion in the sepairate compartment to the processing unit,

and a level control mountedin each separate compartment and controlling the flow of liquids through the outlet conduit of each separate compartment to maintain the level of the liquids of the portion high enough to prevent. discharge of gas from the vessel through any of the separate compartment outlet conduits.

2. A system for distributing the liquids of. a mixture of liquids and gas among a number of liquid processing units, including, i

a vessel,

a first compartment within the vessel for receiving all the liquids to be distributed and in which a mixture of such liquids can separate into strata,

an inlet conduit connected to the vessel for introducing a mixture of liquids and gas into the first compartment, I a gas outlet conduit connected to the vessel with which to discharge gas of the mixture front the vessel, a collecting chamber connected to the first compartment to receive liquids from the first compartment,

a plurality of liquid outletsfrorn the collecting chamber providing a weir in each outlet to flow a portion of the upper strata of the liquids over each weir and out of the collecting chamber,

a separate compartment connected toeach liquid outlet,

a passage communicating each separate compartment to the first compartment for applying the pressure of the g s to the surface of each portion ,of jthe liquids, p n an outletconduit connected toyeach separate. compartment and a one of the number of liquid processing units for supplying liquids of the portion in p the separate compartment to the processing unit, and a, level control mounted in each separate compartmentand controlling the flow of liquids through the outlet conduit of each separate compartment to maintain the level of the liquids of the portion high enough to prevent discharge of gas from the vessel through any of the separate compartmentoutlet conduits.

f 3. A system for distributing the liquids of a mixture of liquidsiand gas among a number of liquid processing units,

including,

a vessel,

an inlet conduit connected to the vessel for introducing a mixture of liquids and gas into a first compartment within the vessel,-

a gas outlet conduit connected to the vessel with which n to the first compartment in which the mixture of liquids and gas is introduced for applying the pressure of the gas to the surface of each portion of the liquids, 1

- an outlet conduit connected to each separate compart inent and a one of the number of liquid processing units for supplying liquids of the portion in the separate compartment tothe processing unit,

-a level control mounted in each separate compartment and controlling the flow of liquids through the outlet conduit of each separate compartment to maintain the level of theliquids of the portion high enough to prevent discharge of gas from the vessel through any of the'separate compartment outlet conduits,

and a level control mounted in a one of the separate compartments and controlling the flow of the mixture of liquids and gas through the inlet conduit to maintain a predetermined maximum height for the portions of the liquids in all the separate vessel compartments.

4. A system for distributing the liquids of a mixture of liquids and gas among a number of liquid processing units, including,

a vessel,

an inlet conduit connected to the vessel for introducing a mixture of liquids and gas into a first compartment Within-the vessel,

a gaS outlet conduit connected to the vessel with which to discharge gas of the mixture from the vessel,

a collecting chamber connected to the first compartment to receive liquids from the first compartment,

a plurality of liquid outlets from the collecting chamber providing a Weir in each outlet to flow a portion of the liquids over each Weir and out of the collecting chamber,

- a separate compartment connected to each liquid outlet,

a passage communicating each separate compartment to the first compartment in which the mixture of liquids and gas is introduced for applying the pressure of the gas to the surface of each portion of the liquids,

an outlet conduit'connected to each separate compartment and a one of the number of liquid processing units for supplying liquids of the portion in the separate compartment to the processing unit,

a level control mounted in each separate compartment and controlling the flow of liquids through the outlet conduit of each separate compartment to maintain the level of the liquids of the portion high enough to prevent discharge of gas from the vessel through any of the separate compartment outlet conduits,

and a level control mounted in a one of the separate compartments and controlling the flow of gas out the gas outlet conduit to increase the gas pressure within the vessel as the level of the liquids of the portions in each separate vessel compartment rises.

5. A system for distributing oil well liquids to a number of treaters, including,

a unitary vessel,

, a compartment in the vessel to receive all the liquids :and gas produced into the vessel,

a first conduit mounted in the vessel to carry the production. liquids brought to the vessel compartment Ito a location near the vessel bottom where the liquids are released,

a cylinder extending up from the vessel bottom into which the conduit extends,

Weir structures formed about the upper circumference edge of the cylinder and equally spaced from the release location within the cylinder,

a compartment in the vessel beneath each Weir arranged to catch the liquids flowing over the Wei-r and from the cylinder,

a second conduit connected to the compartment receiving all the production which is brought into the Vessel to direct the pressure of the gas of the procare? 'duction on the surface of the liquids collected in the separate vessel compartments beneath the weirs,

a discharge conduit from each separate vessel compartment for the liquids,

and means for controlling the level of liquids in each compartment above the connection of the liquid discharge conduit to prevent discharge of the gas on the surface of the liquids through any of the discharge conduits.

u. A system for distributing oil well liquids to a number of treaters, including,

a unitary vessel,

- a compartment in the vessel to receive all the liquids and gas produced into the vessel,

a first conduit mounted in the vessel to carry the production liquids brought to the vessel compartment to a location near the vessel bottom where the liquids are released,

a cylinder extending up from the vessel bottom into which the conduit extends,

'weir structures formed about the upper circumference edge of the cylinder and equally spaced from the release location within the cylinder,

a compartment in the vessel beneath each weir arranged to catch the liquids flowing over the Weir and from the cylinder,

a second conduit connected to the compartment receiving all the production which is brought into the vessel to direct the pressure of the gas of the production on the surface of the liquids collected in the separate vessel compartments beneath the weirs,

a discharge conduit from each separate vessel compartment for the liquids,

means for controlling the level of liquids in each compartment above the connection of the liquid discharge conduit to prevent discharge of the gas on the surface of the liquids through any of the discharge conduits,

means with which gas flowing from the unitary vesselis regulated,

and means responsive to one of the liquid levels in the compartments to control the regulator means in developing the gas pressure within the unitary vessel on the surface of the liquids in the vessel to energize the discharge of liquid from each separate vessel compartment.

r 7. A system for distributing oil well liquids to a number of treaters, including,

a unitary vessel,

a compartment in the vessel to receive all the liquids and gas produced into the vessel,

a first conduit mounted in the vessel to carry the production liquids brought to the vessel compartment to a location near the vessel bottom where the liquids are released,

a cylinder extending up from the vessel bottom into which the conduit extends,

Weir structures formed about the upper circumference edge of the cylinder and equally spaced from the release location Within the cylinder, compartment in the vessel beneath each weir ar ranged to catch the liquids flowing over the weir and from the cylinder, second conduit connected to the compartment receiving all the production which is brought into the vessel to direct the pressure of the gas of the production on the surface of the liquids collected in the separate vessel compartments beneath the weirs,

a discharge conduit from each separate vessel cornpartment for the liquids,

means for controlling the level of liquids in each compartment above the connection of the liquid discharge conduit to prevent discharge of the gas on the surface of the liquids through any of the discharge conduits,

means for regulating the liquids flowing into the unitary vessel through the first conduit,

and means responsive to the level in one of the separate vessel compartments and arranged to control the regulating means to maintain the level in all of the separate vessel compartments below their respective weirs,

8. A system with which to distribute theliquids of oil Wells to a number of treaters, including,

a cylindrical vessel with its axis vertically extended,

a compartment formed within the upper portion of the vessel by a partition transverse the vessel,

a first conduit connected to the vessel to bring oil well production into the compartment,

a second conduit within the vessel connected to the compartment to take the liquids of the production to a central point near the bottom of the vessel,

a cylinder mounted on the bottom of the vessel and extended up from the bottom around the center point of the second conduit at which the liquids are released,

vveir structures formed about the upper circumference edge of the cylinder and equally spaced from the release point of the second conduit,

a compartment in the vessel beneath each Weir for catching liquids flowing over the weir,

a baflle in each compartmentbetween the cylinder mounted on the bottom of the vessel and the interior of the vessel wall and extending below the level of liquids in the compartment to form a conduit for liquids into the compartment from the weir,

a level control maintaining the level of the compartment liquid above the lower edge of the bailie,

and an output conduit from each compartment through which the liquids of the compartment are withdrawn under the direction of the level control.

9. A system with which to distribute the liquids of oil wells to a number of treaters, including,

a cylindrical vessel with its axis vertically extended,

a compartment formed within the upper portion of the vessel by a partition transverse the vessel,

a first conduit connected to the vessel to bring oil well production into the compartment,

a second conduit within the vessel connected to the compartment to take the liquids of the production to .a central point near the bottom of the vessel,

a cylinder mounted on the bottom of the vessel and extended up from the bottom around the center point of the second conduit at which the liquids are released,

V-notch weirs spaced equally in the upper edge of the cylinder,

a compartment in the vessel beneath each weir for catching liquids flowing over the weir,

oil wells to a number of treaters, including,

a bafile in each compartment between the cylinder mounted on the bot-tom of the vessel and the interior a cylindrical vessel with its axis vertically extended,

:an upper section in the vessel defined by a transverse plate,

a first conduit discharging oil well production into the upper section,

means for controlling the release of gas from the upper section,

a second conduit depending centrally from the transverse plate to remove the liquid from above the plate to a central point in the bottom of the vessel,

a cylinder mounted on the bottom of the vessel and extended up from the bottom around the center point of the second conduit'at which the liquids are re leased,

weir structures formed about the upper circumference edge of the cylinder and equally spaced from the release point of the second conduit,

a compartment in the vessel beneath each weir for catching liquids flowing over the weir,

a battle in each compartment between the cylinder mounted on the bottom of the vessel and the interior of the vessel Wall and extending below the level of liquids in the compartment to form a conduit for liquids into the compartment from the weir,

a level control maintaining the level of the comp-artment liquid above the lower edge of the baffle,

and an output conduit from each compartment through which the liquids of the compartment are withdrawn under the direction of the level control.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,105,242 7/14 Bi'lyeu 137262 1,396,860 1 1/21 Lorraine 137--2 1,839,430 1/32 Weber l37262 2,064,962 12/36 Waters 1'37173 2,216,977 10/40 Mahone 137-2 2,281,799 5/42 Quave 137-262 2,348,357 5/44 Parks 137173 2,678,699 5/54 Fowler 55-173 XR 2,885,118 5/59 Remlre 137391 XR 2,997,053 8/61 Walker 137-173 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner. ISADOR WEIL, Examiner. 

1. A SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING THE LIQUIDS OF A MIXTURE OF LIQUIDS AND A GAS AMONG A NUMBER OF LIQUID PROCESSING UNITS, INCLUDING, A VESSEL, AN INLET CONDUIT CONNECTED TO THE VESSEL FOR INTRODUCING A MIXTURE OF LIQUIDS AND GAS INTO A FIRST COMPARTMENT WITHIN THE VESSEL, A GAS OUTLET CONDUIT CONNECTED TO THE VESSEL WITH WHICH TO DISCHARGE GAS OF THE MIXTURE FROM THE VESSEL, A COLLECTING CHAMBER CONNECTED TO THE FIRST COMPARTMENT TO RECEIVE LIQUIDS FROM THE FIRST COMPARTMENT, A PLURALITY OF LIQUID OUTLETS FROM THE COLLECTING CHAMBER PROVIDING A WEIR IN EACH OUTLET TO FLOW A PORTION OF THE LIQUIDS OVER EACH WEIR AND OUT OF THE COLLECTING CHAMBER, A SEPARATE COMPARTMENT CONNECTED TO EACH LIQUID OUTLET, A PASSAGE COMMUNICATING EACH SEPARATE COMPARTMENT TO THE FIRST COMPARTMENT IN WHICH THE MIXTURE OF LIQUIDS AND GAS IS INTRODUCED FOR APPLYING THE PRESSURE OF THE GAS TO THE SURFACE OF EACH PORTION OF THE LIQUIDS, AN OUTLET CONDUIT CONNECTED TO EACH SEPARATE COMPARTMENT AND A ONE OF THE NUMBER OF LIQUID PROCESSING UNITS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUIDS OF THE PORTION IN THE SEPARATE COMPARTMENT TO THE PROCESSING UNIT, AND A LEVEL CONTROL MOUNTED IN EACH SEPARATE COMPARTMENT AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS THROUGH THE OUTLET CONDUIT OF EACH SEPARATE COMPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF THE LIQUIDS OF THE PORTION HIGH ENOUGH TO PREVENT DISCHARGE OF GAS FROM THE VESSEL THROUGH ANY OF THE SEPARATE COMPARTMENT OUTLET CONDUITS. 